We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, pilot study in four adult medical intensive care units. Patients presenting septic shock were rapidly administered one of two regimens of hydrocortisone, either a 50-mg intravenous bolus every six hours during seven days (200-mg group) or a 100-mg initial bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 300 mg daily for five days (300-mg group). Hydrocortisone was stopped abruptly at the end of treatment.